Global PC shipments dropped 20.1% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from IDC. Shipments reached 62.7 million units between July and September, down from 78.5 million a year earlier.
The decline marks the second consecutive quarterly drop. Shipments fell by a smaller 3.8% in the second quarter. They also declined 9.1% compared with the previous quarter, highlighting growing pressure on the PC market.
However, shipment figures do not reflect actual sales to consumers. IDC says retailers stocked up during the first half of the year to avoid expected price increases. As a result, many focused on selling existing inventory in Q3 instead of ordering new stock.
Jitesh Ubrani, IDC’s research director for consumer devices, said retailers are concerned about holding excess inventory while high prices weaken demand. Some retailers may offer discounts to clear their stock. However, IDC expects PC prices to remain high across the industry.
Ubrani also warned that worsening economic conditions could further weaken the market. He expects the outlook for the next few quarters to deteriorate before conditions improve.
| Company | Q3 2026 Shipments | Q3 2026 Market Share | Q3 2025 Shipments | Q3 2025 Market Share | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo | 14.9 | 23.8% | 19.3 | 24.6% | -22.6% |
| HP Inc. | 10.3 | 16.5% | 15.0 | 19.1% | -30.9% |
| Dell Technologies | 7.6 | 12.1% | 10.1 | 12.9% | -25.0% |
| Apple | 5.9 | 9.5% | 6.7 | 8.5% | -11.3% |
| Asus | 5.5 | 8.7% | 6.0 | 7.6% | -8.6% |
| Others | 18.4 | 29.4% | 21.4 | 27.3% | -14.0% |
| Total | 62.7 | 100.0% | 78.5 | 100.0% | -20.1% |
Lenovo remained the world’s largest PC vendor in Q3, shipping 14.9 million units and securing a 23.8% market share. HP ranked second with 10.3 million shipments and a 16.5% share. Dell followed with 7.6 million units and a 12.1% share.
Apple took fourth place with 5.9 million shipments, giving it a 9.5% market share. Asus ranked fifth with 5.5 million units and an 8.7% share. The remaining vendors accounted for 18.4 million shipments, or 29.4% of the market.
HP recorded the steepest annual shipment decline among the five leading vendors, falling 30.9%. Dell’s shipments dropped 25%, while Lenovo recorded a 22.6% decline. Apple performed better, with shipments down 11.3%, followed by Asus with an 8.6% drop.
Despite the overall market contraction, Apple and Asus increased their market shares compared with Q3 2025. Apple’s share rose from 8.5% to 9.5%, while Asus climbed from 7.6% to 8.7%. Lenovo’s share slipped from 24.6% to 23.8%, while HP and Dell also lost ground.
Overall, the latest figures point to a difficult period for PC makers and retailers. High prices, weaker demand, and efforts to clear existing inventory are weighing on shipments. IDC’s outlook also suggests that the market could face further challenges in the coming quarters.
